Does Photoshop Elements come with Camera RAW?

[The Blue Boy]

Alright all?

A really quick one this. I've been scouring the net for half an hour and even the official Adobe website won't give me an answer! It's a question (well two really) for a friend. Does the latest version of Elements come with Camera RAW and does it have layers?

I feel pretty foolish asking this here, let me tell you but I use CS3.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Mark,

I have V6, so I am now two behind

Yes, it comes with Camera RAW, but a cut down version; in PSE we only get the Basic and Details tabs you CS3 guys (and gals) are used to.

Yes, Elements has layers, you can do most things, but again it is a cut down version that has limitations. Unfortunately I cannot explain these very well; I think it is to do with associating masking adjustment layers.

Hope that helps,

[The Blue Boy]

Yes that is of great help Dave.

I'm meeting with a friend from flickr on monday night to explain W/B on her Nikon D40. I've been trying to explain RAW aswell but she needs a converter. PSE at the price is the one to go for.

Again cheers mate.

[Colin Southern]

Just for the record Mark - if they're thinking of getting PSE - I can say that the "first 2 tab only limitation of ACR" wouldn't slow me down a lot - it's not often I go past the first one.

Also, Scott Kelby has a book out on PSE that apparantly tells how to emulate much of Photoshop's power in PSE.

Hope this helps!

[The Blue Boy]

Colin, cheers mate.

Like I said, it's for a bit of a novice when it comes to PP.

Cheers guys.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Mark,

I'd definitely recommend PSE8, it can be used at three levels, to make starting easier.
Guided, where it gives you a script to follow.
Quick, where the commonly needed controls are right there waiting to be used
Full, where you get almost everything, layers, etc. - still way more than I use.

Opening a RAW file to edit just seamlessly opens ACR first, follwed by PSE when you've done the first bit.

I may upgrade to V8 myself, or I may go to LR2.5 for the workflow aspects, or I may even do both

Good to have you back as a more regular member.
Oh, and do get her the Scott Kelby book for Xmas, or sooner!

Cheers,